The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Page: 261
xiv, 17-536 p. : front., plates ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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THRILLING TALES BY REFUGEES. 261
yell and shriek until it resembled the cry of an enraged animal.
All sorts of missles were flying through the air and clattering
against the walls. Cornices, section of tin and thousands of slates
from the roofs were flying every way. The instinct to escape was
strong among all in that depot, and it was suggested that we join
hands and try to make our way up town. I told those who wanted
to go that they would be killed with flying slate, and it was decided
to stay.
"It is hard for mel to sit still and do nothing when in mortal
fear of their lives, andil saw men sit, clench their hands and set
their teeth, and sweat breaking out all over them. It was an awful
strain on the nerves. We reasoned that we were in as good a place
as we could get, though no one expected to live through it.
OLD GENTLEMAN WITH BAROMETER.
" There was an old gentleman in the depot who seemed to be a
scientist. He had a barometer with him, and every few minutes he
would examine it by the solitary lantern that lit the room, and tell
us it was still falling and the worst was yet to come. It was a direful
thing to say, and some of the crowd did not like it, but the instrument
seemed to be reliable. About 9 o'clock the old man examined
it and announced that it stood at 27.90. I give the figures
for the benefit of any one who wants to know the reading at the
heighth of the storm. He announced to the crowd that we were
gone and that nothing could exist in such a storm.
"At that time the hurricane was awful. Once in a while I
could hear a muffled detonation, a sort of rumbling boom. I knew
that it was a house falling, and it did not add to my comfort. There
was no lightning or thunder, and at times the moon gave some
light. The clouds did not appear to be up any distance, but to drag
the ground.
"About Io o'clock the old man looked at his instrument and
gave a whoop of joy: 'The worst has passed,' he shouted. 'We
are all safe. The storm will soon be over.' Few took in the full
meaning of his words for the wind was still a hurricane. Within
almost as many minutes it had risen ten points and we felt safe.
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The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times (Book)
This book covers the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the United States' deadliest natural disaster. It includes accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses, and photos of the devastation.
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Lester, Paul. The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times, book, 1900~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26719/m1/319/?rotate=90: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.